The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Edo State Council, has pulled out of the nationwide protest against rising insecurity called by the national body led by Comrade Joe Ajaero.

In a terse press statement signed by the Chairman of the Edo NLC, Comrade Bernard Egwakhide, the council said the state would not participate in the nationwide protest scheduled for Wednesday.

It would be recalled that the Edo NLC has been embroiled in a leadership crisis. While the Egwakhide faction is recognised by the Edo State Government, the other faction, headed by Prof. Monday Igbafen, is recognised by the national body.

“It has come to the notice of the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Edo State Council, that the national body, led by Comrade Joe Ajaero, is planning to embark on a protest against insecurity across the country. We, of the Edo State Council, have decided not to be part of the planned protest,” the statement read.

“This is due to the fact that the protest was ill-planned, as it is coming at a time of the year when many people will be travelling or preparing to travel for the yuletide celebrations. Edo State, being a gateway state, cannot afford the kind of confusion this protest can cause at such a time.”